Tailor-made Vacation · South Africa
Discover KwaZulu-Natal: Bush, Beach & Culture
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
Welcome to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal - a region where golden beaches, wildlife-filled wetlands, and mountain kingdoms come together in one remarkable province.
This curated 11-day itinerary invites you to slow down, reconnect, and experience the rich natural and cultural heritage that makes this part of the world truly unforgettable.
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Your journey begins in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to abundant birdlife, diverse ecosystems, and vast sand dunes.
Stay in a luxury lodge on the banks of Lake St Lucia and explore the region’s natural treasures through game drives, eco-boat cruises, and beach safaris.
From there, you will be transferred to Umhlanga, one of Durban’s most desirable seaside suburbs, where colonial charm meets Indian Ocean luxury.
Enjoy time at leisure at the iconic Oyster Box Hotel, before heading inland on a dramatic 4x4 expedition up the Sani Pass into Lesotho’s highlands.
This is a journey for those who want it all - wilderness and refinement, culture and comfort - all wrapped in warm South African hospitality.
We only work with trusted partners who help to ensure the best possible travel experience for you, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Day by day
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. Days can be added, removed or reordered, and almost every client changes something. Prices are an entry-level guide; your quote will be exact.
Days 1-6: iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Lakeside Safari & Coastal Adventure
Begin your South African adventure with a warm VIP welcome at King Shaka International Airport, where your private driver awaits. A scenic transfer takes you north to Makakatana Bay Lodge, the only privately-owned safari lodge set within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Stay in a Luxury King Suite on the edge of Lake St Lucia, where wildlife wanders freely through the raised walkways and the sounds of nature surround you. Over the next five days, your stay includes immersive, guided experiences:
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Morning and afternoon game drives
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A full-day boat safari on the lake’s winding estuary
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A beach safari to the Indian Ocean (via boat or vehicle, depending on conditions)
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Optional eco-cruises through rich wetland ecosystems
Each day brings opportunities to witness hippos, crocodiles, flamingos, and even elephants, with time to unwind in serene natural beauty. Enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisine and local South African wines, with all meals, house drinks, and scheduled activities included.
Days 6-11: Umhlanga & The Drakensberg - Coastal Beauty & Mountain Majesty
Travel south to Umhlanga, just outside Durban, where you will check in to the legendary Oyster Box Hotel – an elegant, colonial-style icon perched on a white-sand beach with sweeping views over the Indian Ocean.
Spend five nights in a Luxury Sea Facing Room on a bed and breakfast basis, with days at leisure to enjoy Durban’s coastal beauty, thriving Indian-influenced food scene, and stylish shops along the famed “Golden Mile.”
Your time in Umhlanga includes a full-day guided adventure to the Drakensberg Mountains and Sani Pass – a highlight of the itinerary. Travel inland by private transfer, then board a 4×4 vehicle to ascend the dramatic mountain pass into the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Along the way:
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Visit a traditional Basotho village and meet local communities
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Learn about life in this remote highland country
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Enjoy lunch and a drink at the Highest Pub in Africa
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Return to the coast in time for sundowners at the Lighthouse Bar
This blend of beachside luxury, cultural immersion, and dramatic scenery brings your journey to a perfect close.
Our Experts
There's no better way to appreciate the natural world than by taking part in a South African safari. You'll have the chance to see the Big Five whilst never compromising when it comes to luxury.
The cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town is often overlooked as a fantastic travel destination. It has a palpably vibrant character and a flourishing food scene. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience something completely different.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.